Valve device



Aug. 13, 1940.

L. A. CAMEROTA VALVE DEVICE Filed June 8, 1959- [NVENTOR:

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Luis Eame ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE DEVICE Application June 8, 1939, Serial No. 278,020

6 Claims.

This invention relates to valve devices, and particularly fluid actuated valves. The invention is especially adaptable and advantageous for control or manipulator valves that admit high pressure liuid to the operating cylinders of hydraulic presses or the like, and also vent or exhaust the spent iluid. The invention permits of controlling the rates of movement of the valve(s) both ways, closing them slowly and opening them quickly,

l0? or vice versa, as desired. It also affords the advantage that valves can be closed against the flow through them, rather than with the flow, as usual, thus avoiding hammering of the valve against its seat. However, the valves can also be closed with the flow with a minimization of hammer against the seat, if this is desired for any reason.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of a species or form of embodiment, and from the drawing.A

The drawing shows a longitudinal section through a valve device conveniently embodying the invention, and also shows, mainly in elevation, arrangements for supplying actuating uid to the valve device and venting the fluid from it.

The valve mechanism here illustrated includes two valve members A and B movable to and fro in adjacent parallel bores in a casing 1, and each including a valve head 8 cooperating with an annular seat 9 intermediately located in the length of the valve bore. As shown, the upper and lower ends of the valve bores are closed by removable covers IUI, |02, detachably bolted to the casing 35 l. Preferably, the valve head 8 seats against the seat 9 as a poppet valve; accordingly, the annular valve seat 9 is shown beveled, and the annular surface of the valve head 8 that seats against it is correspondingly beveled, both, as shown, to an angle of 45. Each valve bore has ports and passages I9, II at opposite sides of its seat 9 (above and below said seat) for the fluid controlled by the valve. Preferably, each valve head B also coacts peripherally (as a piston valve) with a corresponding portion of its valve bore, which may be formed in a sleeve I2 upstanding from and integral with the seat 9. The sleeve I2 is apertured or notched (in a tapering or V-shape) at I3, substantially above the seat 9, for communication between its interior and the port Il. The sleeve I 2 (which includes the seat 9 as an internal shoulder therein) is shown as a removable liner fitted in the casing 'l and abutting against a shoulder I4. As here shown, the valve casing 'l has fluid connections II2, II3, and II4 (Cl. IS7-144) which lead to the ports I0, II of the valve A and to the port II of the valve B, and which may be connected, respectively, to -a source of fluid under pressure, to a hydraulic cylinder of a press or the like, and to an exhaust or discharge for spent fluid. There is also in the casing 1 a passage or duct I5 that connects the outlet port II of the valve A to the inlet port III of the valve B. With these connections, the valve A serves as an admission valve for admitting uid under pressure from the supply connection II2 to the hydraulic cylinder connection II3, and the valve B serves as an exhaust valve for venting spent fluid from the cylinder connection II3 to the exhaust connection IIII. Accordingly, the ports I9 of both valves serve as inlet ports and the ports II as outow ports; and the valves A, B open with the flow through the valve seats 9, and close against this fiomthough these relations might readily be reversed, if desired.

As the valves A and B and the associated features of the casing 1 are substantially just alike, only the valve A and its bore are described in detail.

Besides the-valve head 8, the valve member A comprises upper and lower piston heads I6 and II operating in opposite ends of the valve bore, beyond the inlet and outlet ports I0 and II, to move the valve to and fro to seat and unseat the valve head 8. Between the valve head 8 and the piston head I'I, the valve A is reduced at I8 to permit passage of uid through the seat 9 when the valve is open. As shown, the piston head I6 and the upper portion of the valve bore, above the seat 9, are larger than the piston head I'l and the lower portion of said bore, below said seat 9; and at I9, substantially above the port I I, the piston head I6 and the upper portion of the valve bore are enlarged to a still larger size than just above said seat 9. The annular space or shoulder at I9 is suitably vented,-as by one or more ports or passages 20 leading out through the wall of the casing 1 to the atmosphere, at a point where its outlet is plainly visible on the outside of the casing ,-so as to expose to atmospheric pressure the differential annular shoulder I9 by whose area the upper portion of the piston head I6 exceeds in cross section the lower portion of said piston head. Even when the valve A is open, therefore, the upper piston head I6 presents at its outer side a greater area to be acted on by pressure tending to close the valve than the annular (beveled) seating surface of the valve head 8 and the outer side of the lower piston I1 present to be acted on by pressure tending to open the valve. When the valve is seated, on the other hand, the valve head 8 and the piston head i7 present equal opposing areas to the pressure iluid to be controlled, and the only areas eXn posed to be acted on by the opposing pressures tending to open the valve and to hold it closed are those of the outer faces of the pistons Il and i6, respectively.

The valve A is preferably opened by fluid pressure constantly supplied to the outer side of the lower piston head I1, and is preferably closed by uid pressure supplied to the outer side of the upper piston I6 when it is desired to close the Valve. For constantly supplying valve-opening pressure fluid to the outei' side of the piston head Il, there is shown a by-pass connection comprising a pase sage 2l communicating with the uid supply connection i I2 of the casing l through the inlet port lil, and opening into a cross passage 22 in the casing 7. One end of this cross passage 22 opens through the surface of the valve bore into a shallow annular groove 23 around the piston head Il, and from this groove 23 fluid may leak down around piston head Il into the lower end of the valve bore. In a similar manner, uid under pressure may be supplied from the other end of the cross passage 22 to the lower side of the lower piston il of the valve B. For supplying and venting valve closing pressure fluid to and from the outer side of the upper pistons I'S of the two valves A, B, there are shown pipe connections 24 to an auxiliary admission and exhaust valve device 25 of any suitable type and construction. As here shown, the pipes 24 connect into annular ducts 25 formed in the thickness of the casing wall l, and themselves connected into the upper ends of the valve bores through ports 21. The valve proper (not shown) may be manually manipulated by means such as a hand lever 30 (shown as fulcrumed on one end of a link 3|, whose other end is pivoted to the valve casing 25) that is pivotally connected at its upper end to the stem 32 of the valve 25. As here shown, there is interposed in each of the pipe lines 2li a check and regulating valve device 33, comprising a springactuated check valve 34 opening upward to permit free return ow toward the valve 25, and a screw threaded needle valve member 35 which may be screwed up and down through its seat opening 36 to control the freedom of outflow from the valve 25 to the valve casing 1. The lower end of the valve member 35 may have a transverse Vgroove across it, to give delicate regulation.

As here shown, the internal surface of each valve bore that coacts with the piston heads i6 and il is formed by suitable removable liners 4l and 52 litted in the casing and abutting endwise against suitable shoulders 43. The Shoulder of the valve bore at I9 is formed in the upper liner fil, as well as the inner portions of the vent passage(s) 2H, and the ports 2l. The liner 4I may be annularly and externally grooved at 44, to assure connection between the inner and outer portions of the passage(s) 20 when the liner is put in place. This liner 4I is held against its shoulder i3 in the casing l by the upper valve-bore cap lili, a fluid-tight joint being made by an annular packing ring l5 interposed between the end of the liner lli and an annular ridge on the cap ll. As here shown, the cap lilll is recessed to afford an upward extension of the valve bore. The piston head i6 may be provided with means for making it fluid tight in both the smaller and larger upper portions of the valve bore in the liner til, as explained hereinafter.

As already indicated, the lower portion of the piston head il preferably works rather loosely in the line 42, so as to permit leakage of lluid from the internal groove 23 in said liner to the outer, lower side of said piston head. In the present instance, the liner 42 includes an inner part 55 telescoping into the other part of the liner and integral with the lower valve-bore cap E32. The part d3 may have an external annular groove 6G, as well as the internal annular groove 23 and the ports interconnecting said grooves. Annuler packing 48 for making the upper part of the piston head l? iluid-tight in the valve bore is interposed between the upper end of the part lili and a superjacen't internal shoulder on the liner 432. A fluid-tight joint between the cap |02 and the casing may be made by means of a packing ring interposed between the lower end of liner 62 and a shoulder on the cap l02, around its portion 55.

As here shown, the valve piston A is a built-up member, comprising a main part 50 including the lower head il and the adjacent reduced por tion of the valve, and provided with a couple of shoulders 52 above said neck; a series of annular or cylindrical members 53, 54, 55, 56, 51, 5B mounted on the cylindrical shank of said part 50 above the shoulder 5i; and a (castellated) nut f3, lor clamping the parts together, screwed on the upper end of said shank and suitably locked, as by a pin t? l. The member 53 is shown as a hard rubber or similar ring resting on the shoulder 5| around the shoulder 52. The member 54 is shown as a doubhIv beveled reversible disc of elastic packing material, one bevel of which forms the active surface of the valve head E. The member 55 is shown a metal ring whose outer periphery ts in the Lipper portion of the sleeve l2, and is of the same diameter as the smaller lower bore of the upper liner f1 I, while its lower side is recessed to accommodate the upper portion of the member This member 55 iits around the reduced lower end or the metal member 55, which is shown slightly smaller than the member 55. An annular packing G2 is mounted around the reduced upper oi the member 5G, between its shoulder and the end of the superjacent metal member 57,-wliich nts easily in the lower and upper bores of the liner Air-making the lower portion of the piston i6 fluid-tight in the lower bore of the liner .fl l. The metal member 58 serves as follower for the cup packing 63 that makes the upper end of the piston head I6 fluid tight in the larger upper bore of the liner M.

The vent port or passage 2U from the annular space at i8 intermediate the lower and upper packings G2, 53 of the upper piston head I6 of the valve member A affords a means of determining the condition of these packings. So long as they are both properly fluid-tight, there is no escape of fluid from the port 20; but if either packing 62, 63 begins to leak, the escaping liquid will be visible at this port. If such escape is observed when the valve A is closed and pressure is applied on the upper end of the piston head i3, it means that the upper packing 63 is leaking; if it is observed when the valve A is open and the upper end of the piston head I6 is vented, it means that the lower packing 62 is leaking. Escape of fluid at 2U all the time would, of course, indicate leakage at both the packings 52, 63.

A mode of operation of the valve device is as follows:

As shown, both the valves A, B are seated, cutting 01T the cylinder connection I3 from both pressure and exhaust, and thus locking the controlled press piston (not shown); and the manipulator valve 25 is accordingly in 1nid-position- If this valve 25 is now shifted to admit actuating fluid under pressure (which may be water or oil from the main supply controlled bythe valve A, and at the same pressure as this main supply) above the piston l@ of the Valve A, this valve A will remain closed. By this same movement of valve 25, however, the upper or outer side of piston I6 of valve B will be vented; and the pressure on the lower or outer side of its piston I1 will therefore open the valve B, venting the piston of the press orthe like to exhaust. If and when the valve 25 is shifted the other way, to admit actuating iiuid under pressure to the upper outer side of the piston it of valve B and to vent the upper outer side of the' piston I6 of valve A, valve B will be closed to shut 01T the press cylinder from exhaust, and valve A will be opened to admit pressure fluid to the press piston. At any desired point of the press piston stroke, valve 25 can be thrown to mid-position, closing both valves A, B as shown, and locking the press piston in position.

It will be seen that the pressure active in closing the valves A, B is merelythat on the differential areas at IQ, and that their closing movements take place against the iiow through the valve seats 9, and hence without hammering.

By proper adjustment of the regulator valve members 35, these closing movements can be made as slow and gradual as desired. On the other hand, the opening movements of the valves A, B are produced by pressure on the full areas of the piston heads I6, it, without any resistance but what is imposed by the size of the pipes 24, and can therefore be as quick as desired. It will also be apparent that by reversing the `devices 33 in the pipe lines 24, they can be used to corrtrol and vary the rapidity of opening of the valve A, B, if that should be desirable.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a valve, the combination of a casing having a valve bore with inlet and outlet ports for the iiuid to be controlled, and a valve set between said inlet and outlet ports, said valve bore being larger at the side of said valve seat where the outlet port is then at the side where the inlet port is; a valve member in said casing movable to and fro through said seat, and having a valve head portion for seating against said seat to close passage therethrough between said inlet and outlet ports, and also having piston heads in said valve bore at opposite sides of said valve seat beyond said inlet and outlet ports,said valve head and the piston head beyond said inlet port presenting equal areas to the fluid to be controlled when the valve is seated against its said seat, but the piston head beyond said outlet port presenting a greater area at its outer side than the piston head beyond said inlet port presents at its outer side; means for constantly supplying valve-opening pressure fiuid to said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said inlet port; and means for supplying and venting valve-closing pressure fluid to and from said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said outlet port; so that the valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side of the one piston head when the other side of the other piston head is vented, and is closed against the iiow through said valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the first-mentioned piston head.

2. In a valve, the combination of a casing having a valve bore with inlet and outlet ports for the iiuid to be controlled and a valve seat between said inlet and outlet ports, said valve bore being larger at' the side of said valve seat Where the outlet port is than at the side where the inlet port is a valve member in said casing movable to and fro through said seat, and having a valve head portion for seating against said seat to close passage therethrough between said inlet and outlet ports, and also having piston heads in said valve bore at opposite sides of said valve seat beyond said inlet and outlet ports, said valve head and the piston head beyond said inlet port presenting equal areas to the fluid to be controlled when the valve is seated against its said seat, but the piston head beyond said outlet port presenting a greater area at its outer side than said valve head and the outer side of the piston head beyond said inlet port present to valveopening pressure when the valve is unseated, and the differential area being constantly Vented; means for constantly supplying valve opening pressure fluid to said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said inlet port; and means for supplying and venting valve-closing pressure fluid to and from said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said outlet port; so that the valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side of the one piston head when the other side of the other piston head is vented, and is closed against the flow through said valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the first-mentioned piston head.

3. In a valve, the combination of a casing hav ing a valve bore with inlet and outlet ports for the iiuid to be controlled, and a valve seat be tween said inlet and outlet ports; a valve member in said .casing movable to and fro through said seat, and having a valve head portion for coacting with said seat to close and open the passage therethrough between said inlet and cute let ports, and also having piston heads in said valve bore at opposite sides of said valve seat beyond said inlet and outlet ports, the piston head beyond said inlet port being more pressure tight in the valve bore adjacent said inlet port than at its end remote therefrom; means for constantly supplying valve opening pressure huid to said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said inlet port, comprising a by-pass from said inlet port to the portion of said piston head that is less pressure tight, where fluid may leak along the piston head to its outer side; and means for supplying and venting valve-closing pressure fluid to and from said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said outlet port; so that the valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side oi the one piston head when the other side of the other piston head is vented, and is closed against the iiow through said valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the rst-mentioned piston head.

4. In a valve, the combination of a casing having a valve bore with inlet and outlet ports for the fluid to be controlled and a valve seat between said inlet and outlet ports, said valve bore being larger at the side of said valve seat where the outlet port is than at the side where the inlet port is; a valve member in said casing movable to and fro through said seat, and having a Valve head portion for seating against said seat to close passage therethrough between said inlet and outlet ports, and also having piston heads in said Valve bore at opposite sides of said valve seat beyond said inlet and outlet ports, the piston head beyond said outlet port presenting a greater area at its outer side than said valve head and the outer side of the piston head beyond said inlet port present to valve-opening pressure when the valve is unseated, and the differential area being constantly vented through a passage Whose outlet is visible; means for constantly supplying valve-opening pressure fluid to said casing at the cuter side of the piston head beyond said inlet port; and means for supplying and venting valveclosing pressure fluid to and from said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond said outlet port; so that the valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side of the one piston head when the other side of the other piston head is vented, and is closed against the ow through said Valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the first-mentioned piston head.

5. In a valve, the combination of a casing having adjacent valve bores for uid admission and exhaust valves, each of said valve bores being provided with inlet and outlet ports for the iiuid to be controlled, and a Valve seat between said inlet and outlet ports, the outlet port of the admission valve bore being connected to the inlet port of the exhaust valve bore; a valve member in each of said valve bores movable to and fro through its said seat, and having a valve head portion for coacting with said seat to close and open the passage therethrough between its said inlet and outlet ports, and also having piston heads in the valve bore at opposite sides of its valve seat, beyond its inlet and outlet ports; means for constantly supplying valve-opening pressure fluid to said casing at the outer sides of the piston heads beyond the inlet ports; and means for supplying valve-closing pressure fluid to Said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond one outlet port, and for concurrently venting the outer side of the piston head beyond the other outlet port, and Vice versa; so that each valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side of one corresponding piston head when the outer side of the other corresponding piston head is vented, and is closed against the ow through said valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the first-mentioned piston head, whereby one valve head is opened when the other is closed, and vice versa.

6.'In a valve, the combination with a casing having adjacent valve bores for fluid admission and exhaust valves, each of said valve bores being provided with inlet and outlet ports for the fluid to be controlled, and a valve seat between said inlet and outlet ports, said valve bore be-V ing larger at the side of said Valve seat where the outlet port is than at the side where the inlet port is, and the outlet port of the admission valve bore being connected to the inlet port of the exhaust valve bore; a valve member in each of said valve bores movable to and fro through its said seat, and having a valve head portion for seating against said seat to close passage therethrough between its said inlet and outlet ports, and also having piston heads in the valve bore at opposite sides of its valve seat, beyond its inlet and outlet ports, the piston head beyond each outlet port presenting a greater area at its outer side than the corresponding valve head and the outer side of the piston head beyond the corresponding inlet port present to valve-openingr pressure when the Valve is unseated, and the differential areas being constantly vented; means for constantly supplying valve-opening pressure iluid to said casing at the outer sides of the piston heads beyond the inlet ports, comprising a by-pass from the inlet port of the admission valve-bore; and means for supplying valveclosing pressure fluid to said casing at the outer side of the piston head beyond one outlet port, and for concurrently venting the outer side of the piston head beyond the other outlet port, and vice versa; so that each valve head is opened by the constant pressure on the outer side of one corresponding piston head when the outer side of the other corresponding piston head is vented, and is closed against the flow through said valve seat by pressure on the outer side of said other piston head overcoming the constant pressure on the outer side of the rst-mentioned piston head,

whereby one valve head is opened When the other is closed, and vice-versa` LOUIS A. CAMEROTA. 

